South Bel Air, MD to Charlotte Hall, MD is 91.7 miles and takes about 2h 9m via MD 3 and Crain Highway, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Maryland, beginning in the Northeast region and ending in the same area. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on surface roads with some highway stretches, making it suitable for a single-day trip. Expect a predictable drive that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.8 miles from South Bel Air, MD
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MD 3
18.2 mi
26m
Crain Highway
15.5 mi
21m
Leonardtown Road
10.7 mi
15m
I 97
8.9 mi
10m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
8.1 mi
9m
Express Toll Lanes
7.7 mi
9m
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
6 mi
8m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
3.9 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
MD 3
— 18.2 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Bel Air, MD and Charlotte Hall, MD.
1
Start on South Shamrock Road
0.3 mi·1 min·South Shamrock Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto East MacPhail Road
0.3 mi·44 sec·East MacPhail Road
3
Turn left onto MD 924
496 ft·14 sec·South Main Street
4
Continue on MD 924
0.6 mi·1 min·Emmorton Road
5
Turn right onto West Ring Factory Road
0.6 mi·1 min·West Ring Factory Road
6
Turn left onto MD 24
3.9 mi·5 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the left lane.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South: BaltimoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 95
8.1 mi·9 min·John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto Express Toll Lanes
6.5 mi·7 min·Express Toll Lanes
Use the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto Express Toll Lanes
1.2 mi·1 min·Express Toll Lanes
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 895
3.8 mi·5 min·Harbor Tunnel Thruway
12
Continue on I 895
1.4 mi·2 min·Baltimore Harbor Tunnel
13
Continue on I 895
2.2 mi·3 min·Harbor Tunnel Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 895
0.5 mi·39 sec·Harbor Tunnel Throughway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway
1.7 mi·2 min·Harbor Tunnel Throughway
Exit 6Toward Annapolis, Glen BurnieUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward I 97 South: AnnapolisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 97
8.9 mi·10 min·I 97
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto MD 3
18 mi·26 min·MD 3
Toward MD 32 West, MD 3 South: Bowie, CroftonUse the left lane.
19
Continue on US 301
16 mi·21 min·Crain Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit onto MD 5
0.3 mi·39 sec·MD 5
Toward Lexington Park, LeonardtownUse the slight left lane.
21
Merge onto MD 5
3.2 mi·4 min·Mattawoman Beantown Road
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left onto MD 5
11 mi·15 min·Leonardtown Road
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on MD 5
1.0 mi·1 min·Three Notch Road
24
Turn right onto Golden Beach Road
0.1 mi·21 sec·Golden Beach Road
25
Turn left onto Charlotte Hall Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Charlotte Hall Road
26
Turn left
170 ft·12 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given this drive is just over 2 hours and requires minimal fuel cost, it's an easy same-day trip. You can depart anytime, but leaving mid-morning will help you avoid peak rush hour traffic leaving the South Bel Air area. There are no designated stops in the data, so you can decide on breaks as needed; however, the longest stretch without a break is 18.2 miles on MD 3. Since the total distance is manageable, you have flexibility to pause for a quick meal or stretch without significantly impacting your arrival time in Charlotte Hall.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 45.8 miles from South Bel Air, MD, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 20 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.8 miles or 1h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charlotte Hall, MD than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving South Bel Air, MD so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from South Bel Air, MD
This is one driving day of about 91.7 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from South Bel Air, MD.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on MD 3 for about 18.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.8 and 75.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.8 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Baltimore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South: Baltimore
9
30.1 mi into trip|~42m in|Harbor Tunnel Throughway
Keep slight right at fork onto Harbor Tunnel Throughway toward Annapolis, Glen Burnie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6
Toward Annapolis, Glen Burnie
7
31.8 mi into trip|~44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 97 South: Annapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 97 South: Annapolis
8
41.7 mi into trip|~56m in|MD 3
Keep slight right at fork onto MD 3 toward MD 32 West, MD 3 South: Bowie, Crofton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward MD 32 West, MD 3 South: Bowie, Crofton
7
75.5 mi into trip|~1h 44m in|MD 5
Take the exit onto MD 5 toward Lexington Park, Leonardtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Lexington Park, Leonardtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.02 one way
$32.03 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$17.53
$35.07
premium
$5.20
$18.76
$37.52
diesel
$6.28
$22.66
$45.32
Estimated Tolls: $0.42
Harbor Tunnel Thruway
(6 mi)$0.42
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.5
0
$9.63
$4.40
Efficient EV
22.9
0
$8.02
$3.67
EV Truck/SUV
36.7
0
$12.84
$5.87
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 18, 2026
Origin
South Bel Air, MD
Night
in South Bel Air on Friday
Local time
11:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Sunny
NE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 18 at 3:01PM EDT until October 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 18 at 3:01PM EDT until October 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Destination
Charlotte Hall, MD
Night
in Charlotte Hall on Friday
Local time
11:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Clear
N 3 to 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 18 at 3:01PM EDT until October 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 18 at 3:01PM EDT until October 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
19 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 9m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potoma...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
$20
near mile 50.6
Park Closure: Closures: Detours; Towpath; Points of Interest
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 30% of this route is on highways, with the remainder on surface roads. You'll encounter an 18.2-mile stretch on MD 3 before transitioning to other main roads like Crain Highway and Leonardtown Road. This means you'll experience a mix of cruising speeds and more localized traffic as you approach your destination. Be prepared for more frequent intersections and potential slowdowns as you move from highway segments to surface streets.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18.2 mi on MD 3.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 91.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.1 miles (Harbor Tunnel Throughway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
359 ft11 ft
Total Climb
392 ft
Total Descent
581 ft
Highest Point
359 ft
Elevation Range
348 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between South Bel Air, MD and Charlotte Hall, MD, road signs point toward Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Crofton, Lexington Park and Leonardtown.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 91.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (30%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 18.2 miles on MD 3. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.42 in tolls one way, starting with Harbor Tunnel Thruway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 2 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Charlotte Hall, MD before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. There are 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.1 miles (Harbor Tunnel Throughway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Charlotte Hall, MD before heading back.
